Life forced nuno feltmaker Carolyn Kohler to learn her craft more than once.
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She had opened a gallery near Orange, when her life changed forever.
"I was in a car accident, so my life went pear-shaped," she said.
"I was in a wheelchair so I had to learn to do my work all over again.
"It's quite physically-intensive work, so it was challenging."
Having lived in the South Coast for five years, she was only now starting to "get (her) mojo back".
"I'm trying to find my fit, but it's all just starting to come together," she said.
"I'm a member of EFTAG ... I've done some work with them, compered their last fashion parades. They're a lovely bunch of ladies."
Nuno feltwork combines merino and silk, to create fabric and garment at the same time.
"A lot of people think you're sewing," she said. "But there's no sewing at all ... it's quite intensive work."
Her pieces will be on display alongside artist Naomi Crowther's works on May 26-27 at their Long Beach studio as part of the River of Art Festival.
Ms Kohler said she was humbled to be invited to exhibit at the River of Art Festival's inaugural exhibition at the Basil Sellers Exhibition centre (the BAS).
Archibald Prize-winner Wendy Sharpe will open the festival at the BAS on Friday, May 17 at 6.30pm.
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Ms Kohler said textiles was an intriguing medium and could be used to create wall hangings, 3D sculptures, installation works and wearables - her weapon of choice.
"Ladies will always find a reason to buy a nice scarf or coat," she said.
"It's for someone who wants something a bit different and who's environmentally-conscious ... for people who like to have a one-off original piece for a special occasion."
Much of her inspiration came from colour, intuition and nature.
"I very much work by feel," she said. "I prefer to create what's in my mind and my heart.
"I'm inspired by nature. It's always been my biggest inspiration. Living out in the Central West, it was always about the red earth and big beautiful skies.
"On the South Coast, it's another world of beauty. Just to be in nature inspires me."
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Rabbiting around at op shops and antique galleries also inspired her.
"I cut things up, embed them into what I'm creating ... it could be buttons, antique Victorian lace.
"On the other hand, I buy good-quality silks and hand-dye them myself.
"I like to combine a feeling of elegance, high-end quality and originality."
Mr Kohler is inspired by Eastern European artists.
"Russian ladies and Eastern Europeans - I think their technical skills are mind-blowing," she said.
"However, their sense of fashion is very conservative and bit stuff.
"I try to add an Australian flavour to give a little more expression and make it less-confined."
She preferred to keep her work as original as possible.
"If something becomes too mainstream, I lose interest," she said.
"I'm not trained in anything, but I've always dabbled in something, whether it be cake-decorating, ceramics, watercolour or jewellery-making."
Ms Kohler was looking forward to the exhibition at the BAS.
"It's a good reason to look at some beautiful art," she said.
"To meet lots of really interesting people and get a feel for what's going to be on the agenda, to get a feel for who makes up the artistic tribe in the South Coast."